stem cell

American  

noun

Cell Biology.

• stem cells
  plural

1. a cell that upon division replaces its own numbers and also gives rise to cells that differentiate further into one or more specialized types, as various B cells and T cells.

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stem cell British  

noun

1. histology an undifferentiated cell that gives rise to specialized cells, such as blood cells

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stem cell Scientific  

1. An unspecialized cell found in fetuses, embryos, and some adult body tissues that has the potential to develop into specialized cells or divide into other stem cells. Stem cells from fetuses or embryos can develop into any type of differentiated cells, while those found in mature tissues develop only into specific cells. Stem cells can potentially be used to replace tissue damaged or destroyed by disease or injury, but the use of embryonic stem cells for this purpose is controversial.

2. Also called progenitor cell

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stem cell Cultural  

1. A cell from which a variety of other cells can develop through the process of cellular differentiation. Stem cells can produce only a certain group of cells (as with skin stem cells) or any cell in the body (as with embryonic stem cells).

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Discover More

A major controversy involves the question of whether nonembryonic stem cells should be used for medical purposes.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• stem cells
  plural

Etymology

Origin of stem cell

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stem cell

The research work included testing stem cell production, creating and testing IV fluid, and studying how the bacteria that causes pneumonia can lead to long‑term heart damage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Rapid stem cell growth can help the intestinal lining recover after injury or illness.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

In California, voters previously approved additional funding resources, Proposition 71 in 2004 and Proposition 14 in 2020 for stem cell research, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Their findings, published in the journal Science, point to a newly identified type of stem cell that appears during aging and may help fuel the production of new fat cells.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 27, 2026

She went into remission after chemotherapy and later had a stem cell transplant, but was told in May the cancer had returned and that treatment options in the UK were unlikely to be curative.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026